Process for resolving emulsions



1 peratures. to 10 percent of fresh water is added to the crude on charge stock and emulsified therein by means Patented Oct. 30, 195i PROCESS FOR RESOLVING EMULSIONS Willard H. Kirkpatrick, Sugar Land, Tex., as-

signor to Visco Products Company, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application December 28, 1948, Serial No. 67,753

5 Claims.

This invention relates in particular to the treatment of emulsions 'cf mineral oil and water, such as petroleum emulsions commonly encountered in the production, handling and refining of crude mineral oil, for the purpose of separating the oil from the water. Also, the invention relates to the treatment of other water-in-oil type of emulsions wherein the emulsions are produced artificially or naturally and the resolutions of the emulsions presents a problem of recovery or disposal.

Petroleum emulsions are in general of the water-in-oil type wherein the oil acts as a continuous phase for the dispersal of finely divided particles of naturally occurring waters or brines. These emulsions are often extremely stable and will not resolve on long standing. It is to be understood that water-in-oil emulsions may occur artificially resulting from any one or more of numerous operations encountered in various industries. The emulsions obtained from producing wells and from the bottom of crude oil storage tanks are commonly referred to as cut oil, emulsified oil, bottom settlings, and B. S.

One type of process involves subjecting an emulsion of the water-in-oil type to the action of a demulsifying agent of the kind hereinafter described, thereby causing the emulsion to resolve and stratify into its component parts of oil and water or brine after the emulsion has been allowed to stand in a relatively quiescent state.

Another type of process involves the use of a demulsifying agent of the kind hereinafter described in acidizing operations on petroleum producing strata. In such an operation inhibited acid is forced down the well and into the formation under pressure. The acid attacks limestone formation enlarging the fiissu-res and openings through which the oil fluids flow to the well pool, thus increasing the production. In many cases, particularly troublesome emulsions are encountered immediately after a well has been acidized. This condition can be minimized and many times eliminated by incorporating a suitable demulsifying composition with the acidizing medium.

Still another type ofprocess involves the use of demulsifying agent of the kind hereinafter described in refinery desalting operations. In the refining of many crude oils a desalting operation is necessary in order to prevent the accumulation of large deposits of salt in the stills and to prevent corrosion resulting from the decomposition of such salts under high still tem- In a typical desalting installation 5 2 of a pump or through a differential pressure valve. A demulsifying agent is added and the treated oil permitted to stand in a quiescent state for relatively short periods of time allowing the salt-laden water to stratify, whereupon it is bled off to waste resulting in to 98 per cent removal of salt content. This operation is carried out continuously as contrasted withbatch treating.

One object of our invention is to provide a novel and economical process for resolving emulsions of the character referred to into their component parts of oil and water or brine.

Another object is to provide a novel reagent which is water-wettable, interfacial and surfaceactive in order to enable its use as a demulsifier or for such uses where surface-active characteristics are necessary or desirable.

The treating agent employed in accordance with the present invention consists of the reaction product of an organic polybasic acid and a molecularly dehydrated polyacylated derivative of an alkanolamine wherein the acylating radicals comprise at least two dissimilar carboxy acids, at least one being an unsaturated long chain acylic type carboxy acid containing at least 8 carbon atoms and another being an unsaturated carbocyclic type carboxy acid.

Of the two dissimilar carboxy acids required for the preparation of the intermediate acylated alkanolamine, the one is preferably an unsaturated long chain acylic or fatty type carboxy acid having at least 8 carbon atoms and not more than 32 carbon atoms in the chain. This group of acids may also be called unsaturated deter-. gent forming acids. As examples of acyclic type acids which I have found particularly suitable for my purpose I may mention: linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, mixtures thereof and other commonly available unsaturated long chain acyclic acids. Certain of these acids, (e. g., linoleic acid and linolenic acid), may also be called drying oil acids. Satisfactory results have been obtained by the practice of the invention wherein the drying oil acids have been partially blown.

The other dissimilar type of carboxy acid required for my process is a carbocyclic carboxy acid of the terpene type, preferably a rosin acid. The most commonly available rosin acids are abietic acid and related derivatives derived from naval stores. Other oil soluble natural acidic resins, e. g., polymerized rosin, dehydrogenated rosin and cracked copals (for example, run Congo) may be employed.

The dissimilarity of these two types of carboxy acids is characterized by the acyclic type being a long chain carboxy acid, whereas the rosin type is a carbocyclic carboxy acid of the terpene tended as functional equivalents. .ing demulsifying characteristics canbe prepared from alkanolamines'having; at least two hydroxyl ethanolamine.

type. In the practice of the present invention the weight ratio of the acyclic carboxy acid to the carbocyclic carboxy acid in the acylated alkanolamine is preferably within the range of 1:1 to 2:1, 'the lesser component always being in excess of about 30% of the total carboxy acids.

While any blend of the dissimilar acids ;can be prepared, my preferred mixture of dissimilar carboxy acids is readily obtainable asa naturally occurring mixture of dissimilar carboxy acids known in the trade as tall oil or tallol. Tallol is the liquid resin obtained ;;indigesting wood to wood pulp in the paper industry. It 'is a dark brown viscous liquid containing a crystalline sediment of abietic acid. From the results of several investigationsithe following principal constituents of tallol are indicated: resin acids 30% to 45%, fatty acids 45% to 60%, unsaponifiable matter 6% to 12%. Th unsaponifiable portionis a yellow viscous oil containing a waxy or pitchy material. The specifications of the particular grade of tallol which I prefer to use is as follows:

Specific gravity (at 15.5 degrees C.) .9697 Acid number 164.0 Saponification number 173.6 Ester number 9.4 Per cent ,moisture 0.0 Per cent rosin acids 39.2 Per cent fatty acids (by difference) 52.79 Per cent linolenic acid", 19.25 Per cent linoleicacid, 10.5 Per cent oleic acid 23.04

Unsaponifiable 8.01% Iodine number? 148.83 Thiocyanogen-fiodine,number 91.1 Per centsaturated fatty acids None ,Per cent unsaturatedfatty acids- 100% Titer test 5.5 degrees C. Pour test w 4.4 degrees C. Cloud test -12.8 degrees C.

Examples of suitable alk-anolamines for my purpose are as follows: .diethanolamine, octyl- -hydroxypropyldiethanolamine, cyclohexyldiethanolamine, etc. Alkanolamines with ether linkages in-the alkyl' group are in- Products havgroups in the molecule but tertiary alkanolamines having three or -more hydroxyl groups pose of the invention-contains not more than 2.5% monoethanolamine and'not more than 15% diethanolamine and not less than 80% tri- The neutral equivalent of the commercial product will average about 140 and 'is entirely satisfactory for my purpose;

As examples of organic polybasic acids which are suitable for-purposes ofthis invention, there can be mentioned: succinic, maleic, phthalic, terephthalic, citric, malic, ,adipic; oxalic, suberic, azelaic,. sebacic and diglycolic acids, and homologues thereof or their anhydrides;

The intermediate acylated alkanolamine is prepared by heating the alkanolamine and the dissimilar carboxy acids, wherein *the alkanolresultfrom simpledistillation of low boiling nitrogen bodies, originally present as impurities, or

they may result from the distillation of low boiling nitrogen bodies formed during the condensationreaction in which alkanolamines having a plurality-of ether linkages in the alkyl group areformed. 'The condensation is carried out in the absence of any azeotropic solvent for it has been found that the dernulsifying characteristics are diminished when the aqueous distillate is removed as an azeotrope.

In the present invention, preparation of -the demulsifyi'ng composition is :carried out by con-' densi'ng the: polybasic acid with the interme-- diate acylated alkanolamine at moderate temperatures. Where the polybasic anhydrides are use-d the condensation reaction results in the opening of 'the anhydridezlinkage to yield a partial ester ,in which the carbonyl group has reacted with a hydroxyl group. Where polybasic acids are used higher temperatures must be-employed in order to form the partial ester by reacting one' .carboxyl group and one hydroxyl group with the elimination of water. The resultant-products will'be complex reaction materials, ,the chemical constitution of which cannot be ascertained :with any degree of accuracy.

The compositions I have prepared inaccordance with the preparation described herein are strikingly and outstandingly different in their emulsion resolving characteristics fromproducts where-thealkanolamine is not used in excess and the elimination-of water stopped at a-point-com- I parable to complete acylation.

It is essential for the purposes of'my invention that the alkanolaminebepresent in the substantial molar excess as related to the dissimilar -cabroxy acids. purposes of my invention that the condensation reaction proceed tofthe point where the aqueous distillate secured amounts to a substantial ex- Further, it is' essential for the cess above the quantity required for theoretical acylation. In other words, thequantity of. the alkanolamine" should be such that there are hydroxyl-groups present in excess of those required to react with thecarboxyl groups-of-th'e carboxy acids in the intermediate acylation reaction.

"For example, one mol'eof the carboxy acids of tallol and two moles of triethanolamine is considered excess. One mole of the carboxy acids of tallol and four moles-of triethanolamine is considered 300% molar excess. It hasbeen found that new and superior products can be a-lents' of these-chemicals and otherproportions -may be: used 'withoutwdepartingvfrom; the. spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. In the examples, the quantities are stated in parts by weight.

Intermediate Example I Parts Time g Aqueous Distillate 8:30 165 Began 9:45 250 57 11:45 250 129 1 250 154 5:00 257 190 6:45 252 199 The product at this stage was entirely too viscous for customary handling by the petroleum industry. Two hundred (200) parts of a suitable hydrocarbon vehicle such as S02 Extract was added to yield the finished product.

Intermediate Example II In a suitable reaction vessel provided with a means for removal of any aqueous distillate which forms, 600 parts of tallol and 800 parts of a still residue secured from the commercial manufacture of triethanolamine was heated with stirring to secure an aqueous distillate in accordance with the following log:

Parts Time 53 Aqueous Distillate It was determined that the removal of further quantities of aqueous distillate resulted in a rubbery-like mass which could not be further handled. To the above product from which 140 parts of aqueous distillate had been removed there was added 100 parts of a suitable hydrocarbon vehicle and 100 parts of acetone to yield the finished product having the desired viscosity.

Intermediate Example III Parts Time gg Aqueous Distillate 10: 50 178 Began 11:55 250 64 12:30 251 127 3:50 250 185 5: 00 250 223 11:45 250 260 To the above product there was added 500 parts of a suitable hydrocarbon vehicle to yield the finished product having a suitable viscosity.

Intermediate Example IV In a suitable reaction vessel provided with a means for removal of any aqueous distillate which forms, 500 parts of tallol and 750 parts of triisopropanolamine were mixed with stirring to 250 degrees C. and held at that point for 12 hours. During the course of heating an aqueous distillate formed and was collected as per the following log:

Parts Time gg Aqueous Distillate To this product there was added 500' parts of a suitable hydrocarbon vehicle to yield the final composition.

Example I Ina suitable reaction vessel, 1,000 parts of Intermediate Example I and 222 parts of phthalic anhydride were condensed with stirring for 6 hours at 185 degrees C. During the progress of this reaction there was no elimination of any aqueous distillate. After completion of the condensation, the reaction mass was exceedingly viscous and it was necessary to add 700 parts of a suitable hydrocarbon fraction such as S02, extract to yield a product having the desired fluidity.

Example II In a suitable reaction vessel, 1,000 parts of Intermediate Example II, 200 parts of a suitable hydrocarbon fraction and 111 parts of phthalic anhydride were mixed with stirring and condensed for 2 hours at 165 degrees C. The application of continued heat at this stage results in the product gelling which is to be avoided. After cooling an additional 300 parts of a suitable hydrocarbon fraction such as S02 extract was added to yield the completed product.

Example III In a suitable reaction vessel, 1,000 parts of Intermediate Example IV, 300 parts of a suitable hydrocarbon fraction, and parts of phthalic anhydride were condensed for 2 hours at degrees 0'.

Example V In a suitable reaction vessel, 1,000 parts of Intermediate Example IV, 50 parts of phthalic anhydride and 300 parts of a suitable hydrocar- -reaction between the bon fraction were condensed with stirring for 2 hours at v155 degreesC.

The above examples are only a few of the many products which may be prepared according to the principles disclosed in the foregoing discussion. Various examples of the many products .which answer the description herein .made are contemplated; some may be oil soluble and others water soluble, .and in many instances they may possess dual solubility to an appreciable extent. The suitability of any .of .the products for the breaking and resolving of any given emulsion can readily be determined by conventional procedures. The products may be used as such for resolving emulsions of the water-in-oil type, or they may be admixed with other demulsifying reagents: invarying ratios as required by the problem at hand.

The temperatures employed in preparing the intermediate acylation reaction product should be sufiiciently high to facilitate the elimination of water from the reaction mixture by distillation. The heating should preferably be stopped short of incipient gelation. The preferred temperature range during the intermediate acylation step is from 130 degrees C. to 300 degrees C. Especially good results have been obtained by completing the intermediate acylation step at temperatures within the range af 250 degrees C. to 260 degrees C.

The temperature employed in the subsequent intermediate acylated product and the 'polybasic acid or acid anhydride should be suflicient to cause the formation of a partial ester and will vary somewhat depending upon the type of polybasic acid or acid anhydride, but good results have been obtained in the temperature range from 50 degrees C. to 200 degrees C. The heating in this stage will produce a more viscous condition, but for the purpose of this invention should be discontinued prior to gelation.

The suitable hydrocarbon vehicle referred to in the examples is sulfur dioxide (S02) extract. This material is a by-product from the Edeleanu process of refining petroleum in which the undesirablev fractions are removed by extraction with liquid sulfur dioxide. After removal of the sulfur dioxide, a mixture oi-hydrocarbons, substantially aromatic in character, remains which is designated in the trade as S02 extract. Examples of other suitable hydrocarbon vehicles are toluene, xylene, gas oil, diesel. fuel, bunker fuel and coal tar solvents.

The improved demulsifying reagents prepared in accordance with the present invention. are preferably used in the proportion of one part of reagent to from 2,000'to 30,000 parts of emulsion either by adding the concentrated product directly to the emulsion or after diluting with a suitable vehicle in the customary manner.

The water-wettable intermediate compositions employed in making the final condensation products for breaking petroleum emulsions for the purpose of the presentinvention are described and claimed in my copending application Serial No.v 65,293, filed December 14, 194.8, now Patent No. 2,568,743.

This invention isv hereby claimed as. follows:

1. A process for breaking emulsions of the water-in-oil type which comprises subjecting the emulsion to the action of a water-wettable condensation reaction product of an organic polybasic acid and an intermediate water wettable dehydrated acylated derivative of an alkanola-- mine containing at least two hydroxylgroupfi in the molecule wherein the acylatingradicals comprise two dissimilar mono-carboxy acids, one being an unsaturated long chain acyclic type carboxy acid containing at least 8 and not more than 32 carbon atoms in the chain-and the other" being an unsaturated resin type carboxy acid, the alkanolamine being employed in 10.0 to 600 per cent molar. excess in the intermediate acylation reaction, saidvintermediate being formed by heating with the elimination of water at tom peratures within therange of 130 C. to 300"C. and the final condensation product being'fo'rm'ed by' heating at temperatures within the range of 50 C. to: 200 C. untilan increase in viscosity is obtained but discontinuing said heating prior to gelation. a

2. A process for breakin emulsions of the water-in-oil type which comprisessubjecting the emulsion to the action of the water-wettable condensation product of the reaction between:

(a) an intermediate water wettable dehydrated said acids is a fatty acid having at least 8 and, not more than 32 carbon atoms in. the chain,,the

quantity of water eliminated by said'dehydration being at least 200% of the quantity formed by theoretically complete acylation of the carboxy groups of said carboxy acids, and (b) a polybasic organic acid, said intermediate being formedby heating with the elimination of Water at tem} peratures within the range of 130 C. to 300 C. and the final condensation product bein formed by heatin at temperatures within the range of 50 C. to 200 C. until an increase in viscosity is obtained but discontinuing said heating prior to gelation.

3. A process for breaking emulsions of the water-in-oil type which comprises subjecting the emulsion to the action of the water-wettable condensation product of the reaction between: (a) an intermediate water wettable dehydrated acylated tertiary alkanolamine having. three hydroxyl groups, said alkanolamine being employed in to 600 per cent molar excess. and the.

acylating agent being a mixture of at least two dissimilar, unsaturated mono-carbox acids wherein at least one of saidacids is a carbocyclic resin acid, and another of said acids is aiatty acid having at least 8 and not more than 32 carbon atoms" in the chain, the'quantity of water eliminated by said dehydration being at least 200% of the) quantity formed by theoretically complete acylation of the carboxy groups of said carboxy acids, and (b) a polybasic organic acid, said intermediate being formed by heating with the elimination of water at temperatures within the range of C. to 300 C. and the final condensation product being formed by heating at temperatures within the range of 50 C. to 200 C. until an increase in viscosity is obtained but discontinuing said heating prior to gelation.

4. A process forbreaking emulsions of the water-in-oil type which comprises subjecting the emulsion to the action of the water-wettable condensation product of the reaction between: (a) an intermediate water wettable dehydrated acylated triethanolamine, said triethanolamine being employed in 100 to 600' per" cent molar excess and the acylating agent being a mixture of at least two dissimilar, unsaturated mono-carboxy acids wherein at least one of said acids is a carbocyclic resin acid and another of said acids is a fatty acid having at least 8 and not more than 32 carbon atoms in the chain, the quantity of water eliminated by said dehydration being at least 200% of the quantity formed by theoretically complete acylation of the carboxy groups of said carboxy acids, and (b) a polybasic organic acid, said intermediate being formed by heating with the elimination of water at temperatures .within the range of 130 C. to 300 C. and the final condensation product being formed by heating at temperatures within the range of 50 C. to 200 C. until an increase in viscosity is obtained but discontinuing said heating prior to gelation.

5. A process for breaking a water-in-oil emulsion which comprises mixing such an emulsion with the product of the reaction between: (a) an intermediate dehydrated acylated triethanolamine made by. heating tallol with an alkanolamine comprising essentially triethanolamine at temperatures Within the range of 130 degrees C. to 300 degrees C. in proportions corresponding to a molar excess of triethanolamine over the at temperatures within the range of degrees C.

to 200 degrees C. and said reaction being carried out until said reaction product increases in viscosity but being discontinued prior to gelation. WILLARD H. KIRKPATRICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,977,089 Roberts Oct. 16, 1934 1,978,227 Roberts Oct. 23, 1934 2,166,434 De Groote July 18, 1939 2,192,993 De Groote et al. Mar. 12, 1940 2,214,784 Wayne Sept. 1'7, 1940 2,296,600 De Groote et a1. Sept. 22, 1948 

5. A PROCESS FOR BREAKIBG A WATER-IN-OIL EMULSION WHICH COMPRISES MIXING SUCH AN EMULSION WITH THE PRODUCT OF THE REACTION BETWEEN: (A) AN INTERMEDIATE DEHYDRATED ACYLATED TRIETHANOLAMINE MADE BY HEATING TALLO WITH AN ALKANOLAMINE COMPRISING ESSENTIALLY TRIETHANOLAMINE AT TEMPERATURES WITHIN THE RANGE OF 130 DEGREES C. TO 300, DEGREES C. IN PROPORTIONS CORRESPONDING TO A MOLAR EXCESS OF TRIETHANOLAMINE OVER THE CARBOXY ACIDS OF SAID TALLOL IN THE RANGE OF 100% TO 600% WITH THE REMOVAL OF WATER FROM THE PRODUCT IN AN AMOUNT EQUIVALENT TO 200% TO 600% OF THE QUANTITY THEORETICALLY FORMED BY COMPLETE ACYLATION OF THE CARBOXY GROUPS OF THE CARBOXY ACIDS IN SAID TALLOL, AND (B) PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE, THE REACTION BETWEEN THE INTERMEDIATE MOLECULARLY DEHYDRATED ACYLATED TRIETHANOLAMINE AND THE PHATALIC ANHYDRIDE BEING EFFECTED AT TEMPERATURES WITHIN THE RANGE OF 50 DEGREES C. TO 200 FEGREES C. AND SAID REACTION BEING CARRIED OUT UNTIL SAID REACTION PRODUCT INCREASES IN VISCOSITY BUT BEING DISCONTINUED PRIOR TO GELATION. 